Pat Quinn
From 1963 Memorial Cup champion to a two-time Stanley Cup Final head coach and international gold medalist.
John Brian Patrick Quinn (January 29, 1943 – November 23, 2014) was a Canadian ice hockey player, head coach, and executive known as 'The Big Irishman.' While he is celebrated for coaching the Philadelphia Flyers to the 1980 Stanley Cup Final and the Vancouver Canucks to the 1994 Final, his connection to Edmonton began with the junior Edmonton Oil Kings, where he won a Memorial Cup in 1963 alongside Glen Sather before turning professional. Despite this early link, Quinn never served as a coach for the NHL's Edmonton Oilers during their dynasty years or at any other time.
- role
- Head Coach
- team
- Edmonton Oilers (None)
- era
- Late 1970s – Early 1980s
- status
- No coaching role with the Oilers
- legacy
- Stanley Cup Finalist (as Head Coach, 1980, 1994)
- background
- Former NHL Player and Executive
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Quinn's journey began in the junior ranks with the Edmonton Oil Kings of the Western Canada Junior Hockey League (WCJHL), where he helped the club win the 1963 Memorial Cup. After turning pro in 1963–64, he played nine NHL seasons as a defenceman for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, and Atlanta Flames. His playing career included a memorable open-ice bodycheck on Bobby Orr during the 1969 playoffs that left the Boston Bruins star unconscious. Despite his early ties to Edmonton, Quinn never held a coaching role with the NHL's Edmonton Oilers. He later became a head coach for the Philadelphia Flyers, Los Angeles Kings, Vancouver Canucks, and Toronto Maple Leafs, leading two teams to the Stanley Cup Final.
In Their Own Story
In his first full season as the Philadelphia Flyers' head coach during 1979–80, Quinn guided the team through a record-breaking 35-game unbeaten streak. This historic run culminated in a trip to the 1980 Stanley Cup Final against the New York Islanders, where the Flyers were upset in six games. Despite the loss, Quinn won the Jack Adams Award for his effort. Later, he took over as head coach of the Vancouver Canucks in 1991–92 after being restricted from coaching due to a contract dispute with the Los Angeles Kings. Under his leadership, the Canucks improved dramatically, winning the Smythe division and reaching the 1994 Stanley Cup Final against the New York Rangers. The team, built largely by Quinn's drafting of Pavel Bure and Trevor Linden, pushed the series to seven games before falling in the deciding match.
Reader's Guide
Pat Quinn's career is defined by significant turning points and international success alongside his NHL achievements. Internationally, he coached Team Canada to gold medals at the 2002 Winter Olympics, the 2008 IIHF World U18 Championships, and the 2009 World Junior Championship, as well as a World Cup championship in 2004. His management tenure with the Vancouver Canucks included controversial but successful moves, such as drafting Pavel Bure a year early after discovering eligibility loopholes regarding his time with the Central Red Army. Quinn was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada (OC) in 2012 and inducted into both the Hockey Hall of Fame and IIHF Hall of Fame in 2016, cementing his legacy as a builder and leader across multiple eras of hockey.
Did You Know?
- Quinn was declared ineligible to play for Michigan Tech because he had already signed his rights with the Detroit Red Wings.
- He is probably best remembered by fans for an open-ice bodycheck on Bobby Orr in the 1969 playoffs that left Orr unconscious and caused a bench-clearing brawl.
- Quinn won a Memorial Cup as a player with the Edmonton Oil Kings in 1963 and later won another as part-owner of the Vancouver Giants in 2007.
- He was suspended by NHL President John Ziegler for the rest of the 1986–87 season for tampering involving the Los Angeles Kings and Vancouver Canucks.
- Quinn coached Team Canada to gold at three different major international tournaments: the 2002 Winter Olympics, the 2008 IIHF World U18 Championships, and the 2009 World Junior Championship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Pat Quinn ever coach the NHL Edmonton Oilers?
No, he never held a head coaching position with the Edmonton Oilers franchise in the National Hockey League. His professional coaching career is defined by his tenures with the Philadelphia Flyers and Vancouver Canucks instead.
What connects Pat Quinn to Edmonton hockey history?
His connection originates from his junior playing days when he was part of the Edmonton Oil Kings organization. He won a Memorial Cup championship with that team in 1963 before turning pro.
Who did Pat Quinn play alongside on the 1963 Oil Kings?
Quinn shared the ice with Glen Sather during their successful junior campaign together. Both players went on to have significant impacts on the Oilers franchise in different capacities later.
Why is Pat Quinn listed in Oilers club history if he didn't coach them?
He is recognized for his early contribution as a player within the Oil Kings system that preceded the NHL team's formation. This historical link makes him relevant to the broader legacy of Edmonton hockey.
Did Pat Quinn win a Stanley Cup with an Edmonton team?
While he reached two Stanley Cup Finals as a head coach, neither victory was achieved while associated with the Oilers. His only championship hardware from that region came during his junior season in 1963.